Not all car crash injuries are easy to see, diagnose and explain. While broken bones and other severe injuries are visible in X-rays and even to the naked eye, some car crash injuries are a little harder to prove. As a result, insurance companies may try to dispute them to lower settlement amounts and mitigate their own financial losses.
There are steps that injured parties can take to make sure they are covered for their car crash injuries. Taking action to document injuries, seek medical advice and even second opinions is important no matter what. When the damage from a crash involves injuries that are commonly disputed, however, documentation can become doubly important.
Whiplash is Hard to Prove
Perhaps the most common of car crash injuries that insurance companies may try to dispute involves whiplash. This condition occurs when the neck is flung forward and then back in a sudden, powerful movement. This type of injury typically occurs in rear-end collisions. What results from a whiplash is damage to the soft tissues in the neck, such as the ligaments and muscles. (See also Proving Soft Tissue Car Accident Injury Claims).
While whiplash injuries will not show up on standard X-rays, there are tests doctors can perform that may prove the existence of accident-related soft tissue damage. They include:
- CT scans – These can sometimes highlight damage to the bones and soft tissue
- MRIs – This often costly test is quite good at showing soft tissue damage and may even indicate damage to the spinal cord or nerves
Other Soft Tissue Damage
Any type of soft tissue damage or “undetermined” injury can be extremely difficult to get an insurance company to compensate for immediately. The above tests can help injured parties gain compensation for these conditions.
To make sure an insurance company knows that an injury is present and that medical care is being sought, it is important to consider:
- Providing copies of all report – When car crash injuries are an issue it is very important that the involved insurance company receives access to medical reports, test results and other related information.
- Gaining second opinions – Insurance companies will often request this step be taken to determine if a settlement is valid. Even if a company does not request a second opinion, the injured party may decide this is in the best interest for care of the injury involved.
- Paying attention to follow up visits – When car accident injuries require insurance payment, it is vital for the injured party to make all medical appointments. This is especially so if a claim is being disputed.
- Hiring a lawyer – When car accident injuries involve damage that is not easy to prove, having a reputable lawyer can help streamline the settlement process.
Getting Legal Help
Car accident injuries are not always easy to claim. When soft tissue damage such as whiplash is the concern, hiring an attorney is often the best way to increase chances for gaining compensation that is due. A trained lawyer will be able to walk a client through the process and help expedite payment of any forthcoming compensation for injuries.
